FERMANAGH singer Karl Kirkpatrick is now just one step away from winning one of Ireland’s biggest music competitions. Next week, the Derrygonnelly man will compete in the Grand Final of TG4 talent show ‘Glór Tíre’ where he hopes to win the ultimate prize at the Studio Telegael An Tullach arena in Galway. Kirkpatrick booked his place […]
Barney Curley honoured at scene of famous betting coup
BELLEWSTOWN racecourse will be forever synonymous with Irvinestown’s Barney Curley who master-minded the most famous betting coup in the history of Irish racing after he successfully pulled off the Yellow Sam coup in 1975. In advance of the 50th anniversary of this landmark event in 2025, Meath’s Bellewstown racecourse has announced details of the inaugural running […]
Blow to rural policing with closure of Fermanagh office
THE PSNI has confirmed no officers will be lost in the Lisnaskea area when the enquiry office at the town’s police station closes. The planned closure of the office, which will leave just one police enquiry office in Enniskillen serving the whole county, is being shut as part of a cost-cutting exercise by the force. On […]
Fermanagh suspected stroke patient sent home without scan
“UNTIL you have ill health, you won’t realise how broken the system is.” That’s the message from a Fermanagh patient who, after suffering a suspected stroke, was sent home in the middle of the night without receiving a scan or a test following an 11-hour wait to be seen in the SWAH emergency department. Two days later the patient collapsed again, requiring another […]
SWC chief welcomes pay deal for local lecturers
THE news that lecturers are set to join teachers in Fermanagh and accept an improved pay settlement was music to the ears of the principal and chief executive of South West College in Enniskillen. Celine McCartan said she was “pleased that an improved pay offer was tabled to lecturers’ trade unions” after the offer was endorsed by […]
Longer wet winter leaves local farmers struggling
THE constant wet weather has intensified the pressure on Fermanagh’s desperate farmers whose livelihoods have been impacted as well as their mental health. April is normally seen as a month that marks a turning point in the farming calendar, but the weather in recent weeks has shown no signs of turning. The persistent rain has left […]
Country star Carter ready for ‘Cash for Kids’ concert
FERMANAGH Country music star Nathan Carter is set to headline a major concert in Enniskillen to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people. On Thursday, May 16, the Liverpudlian has confirmed that he’ll be taking to stage at the Lough Erne Resort for a ‘Cash for Kids Concert’. A huge crowd is expected to […]
COLUMN: Michael Hand- Incensing the priesthood
During my seven years studying for the priesthood at Maynooth Seminary, there were occasions when the powers that be could have questioned the appropriateness of my suitability. Indeed there were several incidents, had they come to light, the authorities would have had good grounds to expel me. But like Al Capone being caught for tax evasion, my […]
Weekend call out for RNLI crew
ENNISKILLEN’S RNLI crew was in action at the weekend, coming to the aid of a stricken fishing vessel on the lower lough. The call out came as the volunteer life-savers prepare for their annual fundraising drive in the coming weeks. On Saturday, April 13, Enniskillen RNLI launched its inshore lifeboat, the John and Jean Lewis, at 10.30am […]
Serious safety concerns over state of main road
THERE are fears it’s just a matter of time before there is another tragedy on the main Enniskillen to Irvinestown road, with a local family living on the route speaking out about the dangers they are witnessing daily. The A32, as one of the main arteries in and out of the county town, is one of […]